OMV to supply up to 62 million gallons of SAF to Wizz Air by 2030

OMV, the international integrated oil, gas and chemicals company headquartered in Vienna, Austria, and Hungary-based Wizz Air have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the supply of approximately 62 million gallons of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for the period 2023 to 2030, OMV announced Nov. 15.

While limited production of SAF is a global aviation challenge, this agreement gives Wizz Air the opportunity to purchase up to 62 million gallons of SAF from OMV.

The announcement builds on Wizz Air’s position as the most sustainable choice of air travel. The MOU supports the airline in achieving its goal of reducing CO2 emissions by 25 percent by 2030, as well as Wizz Air’s and OMV’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

With the lowest CO2 intensity per passenger kilometer in Europe, one of the youngest fleets in the world, and numerous fuel efficiency initiatives, Wizz Air is already leading the aviation industry to a more sustainable future, according to OMV.

OMV is implementing numerous measures to help deliver its ambitious strategic sustainability goals, and SAF is a key technology for the decarbonization of the aviation industry.

The goal involves increasing SAF production to as much as roughly 235 million gallons in 2030.

This is in line with OMV’s ambition to become a net-zero company by 2050 at the latest (for scopes 1, 2 and 3). To this end, clear medium- and long-term emission-reduction targets have been defined as part of the OMV Strategy 2030.

“I am very pleased that the cooperation between OMV and Wizz Air will help us achieve our respective strategic sustainability goals,” said Nina Marczell, OMV vice president of aviation, fuel distribution and the public sector. “With Wizz Air, we were able to gain a strong international partner. SAF is the most significant path to decarbonizing aviation in the coming decades. Our strategic relationship is enabling the way to a more sustainable aviation future we both want to be part of.”

Owain Jones, development officer at Wizz Air, added, “We have achieved our market-leading sustainability position by continued investment in innovative technology and operating the most up-to-date aircraft in the most efficient way. Wizz Air is committed to driving our emissions intensity down by a further 25 percent by the end of the decade, with the use of SAF playing a significant role in that commitment. Supporting the production and research of SAF technologies is one of our priorities and we are pleased to cooperate with OMV to further reduce the aviation industry’s carbon footprint. The new MOU is testament to our commitment to ensuring that by choosing to fly with Wizz Air, our customers are making the most responsible choice of air travel available.”